Rookies’ rehab takes priority
Five observations from Texans training camp Saturday:
Stingley won’t play 1st preseason game
The first preseason game is a week away, and with a bevy of new players on the roster, a lot of newcomers may see the field next Saturday against the Saints.
Rookie cornerback Derek Stingley won't be one of them.
When asked Saturday after practice whether Stingley would play in the team's first preseason game, Texans coach Lovie Smith said, “We're not quite there yet.”
“A lot of times when guys are coming off a major injury, we may wait a little bit, but we'll decide that as much as anything for (Derek) Stingley,” Smith added. “You see he's out here practicing every day. He's right on schedule.”
Stingley, whom the Texans took No. 3 overall in the 2022 draft, is coming off a Lisfranc injury he suffered while at LSU last year. He had surgery on the foot and missed the his junior season before declaring for the draft.
Stingley has continued to participate and dress out in practice, but he's been limited. Though he's looked good in the reps he's taken, he hasn't always participated in 11-on-11 drills. The coaching staff and medical team created a plan to bring him along slowly. As the practices continue, they plan to add more to his plate.
But at least for the team's first of three preseason games, he'll sit.
Rookie joins another in missing field time
One of the notable absences from Saturday's practice was Christian Harris, the rookie linebacker, who had started to earn the respect of his teammates. Harris attended practice but did not wear pads. Rookie offensive guard Kenyon Green also was not there.
Smith said both are dealing with injuries but did not specify what those injuries were or the severity of them.
“We'll see. He's not practicing,” Smith said of Harris. “Whenever a guy doesn't practice, he has an injury that's going to require good rehab. We'll kind of let you know a little bit later on.”
Both Harris and Green were expected to be big contributors to this season and possibly start.
Mills displays better command of offense
It's been a back and forth between the Texans' defense and offense. The defense got the best of the offense Friday, while the offense won Saturday.
Davis Mills went 3-for-3 on red zone drills in 7-on-7 play with three touchdowns. His best throw was a 20-yard strike to wide receiver Nico Collins that he fit in between cornerback Steven Nelson and safety Jonathan Owens. He hit his first six passes in 11-on-11 drills. There's a different look about Mills. He looks more comfortable and has shown a command of the offense.
The one area he has struggled, though, is with the deep ball; the majority of his passes have been shorter.
RB battle heightens between vet, rookie
It'll be interesting to see who becomes the lead back. Heading into training camp, Marlon Mack likely had the edge, but Dameon Pierce has looked impressive. The rookie running back still must play in a game and become a better pass blocker, but he's made plays catching the ball and running it.
Mack likely won't go away, though. He had a solid day Saturday, which included a run he made for a big gain. Mack rushed for 1,091 yards and eight touchdowns in 2019 when he was with the Colts. He suffered an Achilles injury in 2020, which set him back.
Now he has a chance to establish himself as a lead back again.
Smith had no interest in revealing which running back he thought had the edge.
“Coming into camp, we had numbered six guys we liked, nothing's changed,” Smith said. “Each day one guy may flash a little bit more than others. We're going to play them in the preseason games. They are getting ready. You mentioned Dameon Pierce, he's done some good things throughout. He had a couple good runs today but I'm going to say that about most of the guys.”
CB Nelson named as Week 1 starter
Not that it should come as a surprise, but Smith confirmed that Nelson will be one of the Texans starters in Week 1.
The Texans signed Nelson to a two-year, $10 million deal in April to help improve their cornerback room. Stingley, who Smith expects to be ready
Week 1, will likely play on the opposite side of the field.
Nelson has been beat a few times in practice, guarding Brandin Cooks and Collins, who can both be mismatches.
But he's also had his share of pass deflections.
With the Eagles last year, Nelson, 29, had 50 tackles, one interception and seven pass deflections.
Attendance report for Day 7 of camp
Texans wide receiver Chester Rogers, defensive back Kendall Sheffield, defensive ends Obo Okoronkwo and Rasheem Green, and Harris attended practice Saturday but were not in full pads. Green (nondisclosed injury), right tackle Tytus Howard (COVID-19), wide receiver Drew Estrada (nondisclosed injury) and tight end Antony Auclair (knee) were not at practice.